Utah Scottish Association

P.O. Box 57476 Salt Lake City, Utah 84157

Many of you will know that due to lack of support, The Saint Andrew’s Society of Utah filed Articles of Dissolution last year, and the Society was dissolved.

The Utah Scottish Association Board feel that St. Andrew’s Day is a significant event in the Scottish calendar, and the tradition of having a ball here in Utah should continue!

We are happy to announce that the Association will be having a St. Andrew’s Day Ball on Saturday December 1st 2018, at the Edison Street Events Center (formerly the Organ Loft).

We will have food, entertainment and dancing! More details to follow!

Who was Saint Andrew?

Saint Andrew was born according to the Christian tradition in 6 B.C in Galilee. The New Testament states that Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. He was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. Both he and his brother Peter were fishermen by trade, hence the tradition that Jesus called them to be his disciples by saying that he will make them "fishers of men"

Why the Saltire?

Tradition is that Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross, now commonly known as a "Saint Andrew's Cross" — supposedly at his own request, as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus.

According to legend, in 832 AD, Óengus II led an army of Picts and Scots into battle against the Angles, led by Ethelstan, near modern-day Athelstaneford, East Lothian. The legend says that he was heavily outnumbered and while engaged in prayer on the eve of battle, Óengus vowed that if he was granted victory then he would appoint Saint Andrew as the Patron Saint of Scotland. On the morning of battle white clouds forming an X shape in the sky above the battlefield.

Óengus and his combined force, emboldened by this apparent divine intervention, took to the field and despite being outnumbered were victorious. Interpreting the cloud formation as representing the cross upon which Saint Andrew was crucified, Óengus honored his pre-battle pledge and appointed Saint Andrew as the Patron Saint of Scotland. The white saltire set against a celestial blue background is said to have been adopted as the design of the flag of Scotland based on this legend.